International experts conduct long-term operation safety review at Borssele Nuclear Power Plant
Between 19 and 28 November, a team of international experts conducted a review of the long-term operational safety of the Borssele Nuclear Power Plant. The aim was to assess the preparedness of Elektriciteits-Produktiemaatschappij Zuid-Nederland (EPZ), the operator of Borssele NPP, for safe continued long-term operation after 2033. Further reviews are planned to examine this. The ANVS is ultimately responsible for assessing whether it is safe to keep the nuclear power plant open for an extended period.
Change in the law needed
The Nuclear Energy Act allows the Borssele Nuclear Power Plant to generate electricity until the end of 2033. The current government wishes to extend this timeframe, provided that operational safety can be guaranteed. This requires a change in the law, which is currently being prepared by the Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
Licence amendment
To extend the operation of the power plant, EPZ must also obtain a licence amendment. They need to apply for this from us. EPZ must then demonstrate that the nuclear power plant will continue to meet all safety requirements in the long term. EPZ is looking into this issue and consulting with us. This ensures we will be well-prepared if the nuclear power plant is permitted to continue operations beyond 2033 following an amendment of the law. Ultimately, we are responsible for assessing whether long-term operational safety can be assured.
Long-term operation safety review
The visit and review conducted by the international experts are referred to jointly as a ‘mission’. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) coordinates missions of this type. The review mission at the Borssele Nuclear Power Plant was requested by the ANVS. This type of review is known as ‘pre-SALTO’ and was a preparation for the ‘Safety Aspects of Long Term Operation’ mission: the ‘SALTO mission’. A SALTO peer review mission is typically conducted when extending the operational life of a nuclear power plant.
Read the results in the IAEA press release.
Multiple review points
The SALTO peer review mission will be conducted once EPZ is more advanced in its preparations, and may be succeeded by a follow-up mission. International experts therefore monitor and assess the Borssele Nuclear Power Plant at multiple points to review its continued safe long-term operation. They compare their findings from these reviews with international standards. The reviews conducted by these experts are valuable in guiding our judgements on the continued safe long-term operation of the nuclear power plant.